Another beginners Question.

[mdk1]

i know it sounds daft,
How high should your seat be in relation to Handlebars?
Also how high should your seat be to reaching the road, should I be on tip toes, when sited on my bike?
Just feel my legs are still a bit bent when the pedals are in the down position.
Thanks.

 

[bpsmith]

Seat to handlebars comparison is totally down to flexibility, reach and the type of riding you do.

It's important to get your saddle position correct in terms of your pedals. Legs with a slight bend in them. Put your heel on the pedal and your leg should be straight.

Once happy with saddle, then get your handlebar height adjusted for your reach and desires riding style.

As far as their relationship, there's no hard and fast rule as we are all totally different. In fact, I have a sportive style bike and a race style bike and they are set up differently with respect to the handlebar position.

 

[SWSteve]

Seat position based on legs etc, make sure saddle height & fore/aft set to be comfortable, and best transfer of power. Easiest test, heel on the pedal and have the saddle set so you gave a straight leg, then when you're pedalling using the ball of your foot, you will have a slight bend.

Handlebars should be moved separately based on reach and comfort, but don't set your saddle based on how much reach you want.

 

[mdk1]

Thanks for the replies guys,
Will have a bit more of a play at the weekend.

 

[boydj]

If your saddle is correctly adjusted you will probably not be able to touch the ground when seated.

 

[bpsmith]

@boydj is spot on. The tips of one shoe just about touch if I lean to one side. Clearly don't do that on the road, as nobody welcomes a clipless moment!

 

[Citius]

If your saddle is correctly adjusted you will probably not be able to touch the ground when seated.

^^ this. If you want to touch the floor, get off the saddle and stand over the bike.

 

[Globalti]

Put your heel on the pedal and your leg should be straight.

No, this isn't quite right. Sitting on the saddle and leaning on a wall, with your leg hanging loosely, NOT straightened, your heel should just be brushing the pedal at the bottom of its stroke. This is what's called the "naturally cocked" leg position.

 

[Citius]

'heel on the pedal' or 'brushing it' - it doesn't really matter. Techniques like that are only designed to give you an approximation anyway and there's obviously a massive difference between wearing shoes with heels, or wearing just socks in terms of where your heel hits. Let's not sweat it....

 

[vickster]

Picking up the above high heels comment, if you are setting your saddle at home, do it while wearing the shoes you'll be cycling in, be it cycling shoes, trainers or walking boots

 

[bpsmith]

No, this isn't quite right. Sitting on the saddle and leaning on a wall, with your leg hanging loosely, NOT straightened, your heel should just be brushing the pedal at the bottom of its stroke. This is what's called the "naturally cocked" leg position.

Leg brushing the pedal at lowest position or heel on the pedal with crank arm extending off from seat tube at the bottom. Pretty much the same thing really. The addition of the clear height when clipping in, gives the necessary bend in the leg.

As stated above already, it's only a ballpark starting point anyway.

We can safely say that there is no correct method which fits everyone perfectly!